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Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Colonel Guy Vernor Henry, 40th Massachusetts Infantry
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General Guy Vernor Henry (18391899) was born in Fort Smith, Indian Territory (now Arkansas) on March 9, 1839. He graduated from West Point Military Academy on March 9, 1861, serving as a Union soldier in the Civil War and later in conflicts against the Indians in the west and southwest of the United States of America. During the Spanish-American War he was dispatched to Guantnamo, Cuba and later sent to Puerto Rico, alongside General Nelson Miles.
He received successive brevets for gallantry in various battles and was breveted Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for gallantry at Rose Bud, Montana, where he was shot through the face while fighting native Americans. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 5, 1893 for his Civil War service at the battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864 where he was serving as Colonel, 40th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
During the invasion of Puerto Rico he lead a "Provisional Division" from the city of Ponce to Arecibo, Puerto Rico to rendezvous with General Theodore Schwan who was arriving from the city of Mayagez. The tropical rain impeded his trek and before he reached Mayagez, the conflict was over.
On December 6, 1898 he was designated Governor of Puerto Rico. On February 6, 1899 he dissolved the Cabinet of Puerto Rico, which was instituted with the Autonomic Charter. Henry also eliminated taxes on basic food items. On May 17, 1899, he was replaced by General George W. Davis.
He died at his home in Washington, D.C. on October 27, 1899 and is buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.
CITATION:
Rank and organization: Colonel, 40th Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At Cold Harbor, Va., 1 June 1864. Entered service at: Reading Pa. Birth: Fort Smith, Indian Territory. Date of issue: 5 December 1893. Citation: Led the assaults of his brigade upon the enemy's works, where he had 2 horses shot under him.
Courtesy of Find A Grave
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